We’re gearing up to say goodbye to the best Neighbours we’ve ever known later this month.
The Australian soap first made its way onto screens in 1985 but the final scenes for the show were shot in early June after the programme didn’t secure funding after being dropped from Channel 5.
The series follows those living and working in the fictional suburb of Erinsborough outside Melbourne.
Some of the soap stars have gone on to become worldwide names including Academy Award-nominated actress Margot Robbie, The Hunger Games’ Liam Hemsworth, Theatre supremo Jason Donovan and pop music superstar Kylie Minogue.
READ MORE: Neighbours axing defended by Channel 5 boss claiming it was a ‘business decision’
The latter two have confirmed they returned for the final episode of the soap, set to air on July 29 – as has Mark Little, better known as the lovable rogue Joe Mangel.
Over a three year run, we saw Joe turn from a brutish lout who was fond of a drink into a responsible, clean-cut father, played magnificently by Little.
He’ll be back for the finale, but what has Mark Little been up to in the meantime?
Comedy career
(Image: WalesOnline/REX)
Mark first became active on the comedy scene in the early 1980’s, regularly playing gigs around the Australian circuit.
His name quickly became known across the country, with a number of acting roles coming his way as a result.
Before he rocked up on Ramsay Street, he had the likes of Cop Shop, The Sullivans and The Flying Doctors under his belt, as well as movie appearances in Starstruck, Wills & Burke and Short Changed.
That made him a household name Down Under, but it wasn’t until he joined Neighbours in 1988 that Brits became aware of his acting chops.
He became such a popular character that he relocated to London after his original stint on the soap ended.
Big Breakfast break
(Image: Channel 4)
Viewers who tune in to The Big Breakfast these days are entertained by Mo Gilligan and AJ Odudu, but if you were watching in the 90s, you may remember Mark having a spell as host.
It came in the wake of the departure of original presenter Chris Evans, who opted to leave the Channel 4 show to work on other projects.
Having initially stepped in to replace Evans on Mondays and Fridays, Mark was given the job full-time when Evans stepped away for good.
He hosted alongside Gaby Roslin until she left in early 1996, though Little would follow her out the door later that year after rumours about a fall-out with her replacement Zoe Ball.
Success and hiatus
(Image: Twitter)
Having had cameos in a number of movies and taken home a Laurence Olivier Award in 2000, Mark popped up again on Ramsay Street, reprising his role as Joe for the show’s 20th anniversary.
He continued to tour around the West End and the UK with his award-winning Defending The Caveman show.
But in the last decade, we haven’t seen too much of him – with sporadic appearances on camera or stage, although he has dipped his toe into the world of production and directing.
That was until he burst back on to our screens in 2019.
Dancing on Ice performance
(Image: ITV/REX)
Mark was announced as the newest celebrity to be getting his skates on in January of 2019, when he was confirmed to enter Dancing on Ice.
Unfortunately, he didn’t impress fellow Aussie Jason Gardiner on the judging panel, with Mark being the first contestant eliminated just one week into the competition after gaining just 13.5 points from the judges.
He had tried to save himself in a skate-off, only to fall to ex-England cricketer Ryan Sidebottom.
Covid pandemic sees major move
(Image: Wales Online)
Mark now lives in a remote little farmhouse in the Welsh countryside and he couldn’t be happier.
Based somewhere south of Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, the actor previously explained the reasoning behind his decision.
“I have been way out of the loop. And what a loopy loop it is.” he said.
“We have moved HQ and have been finessing a magic acre in the wilderness. I have been as busy as a farmer.
“We are now Anarchists Of The Forest and proud to be Welsh.”
(Image: Twitter)
The previously London-based star was then asked by one fan why he had picked that particular destination to settle down.
He replied: “It chose us. We bought before the pandemic and spent six months of lockdown selling up and moving out.
“It has been torrid avoiding Covid and fascism…but we survive…a beautiful spot just south of lake Vyrnwy.
“(The house) was in a state but we are making it pretty…lovely part of the world…far from the madding crowd…nice neighbours…real.”
When does Neighbours end?
Fans will be able to watch the penultimate episodes in the usual time slots of 1:45pm and 6pm on Friday July 29.
This will then be followed by the bittersweet finale, which will air as a double episode special at 9pm the same evening.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
